Maria Canonizado
Executive Director
Year: Senior
Major: Health Science
Fun Fact: I can make a three leaf clover with my tongue.
What does “Illuminate” mean to you?: For me, this one word encompasses the purpose and mission of Asian Kaleidoscope Month. [Illuminate (v): to explain a subject matter; to increase knowledge; to dispel ignorance; to make something have a splendid appearance.] During this month, a multitude of issues currently affecting our community will be discussed. The achievements of Asians and Asian Americans will be presented. The breadth and beauty of our cultural traditions will be showcased. AKM will illuminate your understanding of where we come from and who we are. AKM will illuminate Asians and Asian Americans.
Michael Satyapor
Assistant Director
Year: Senior
Major: Economics
Fun Fact: I like creating awkward situations for people.
What does “Illuminate” mean to you?: To illuminate is to provide light. Knowledge is often symbolized by the lamp of knowledge. Light conjures in my mind images of lamps and lighthouses. A lighthouse’s purpose is to guide ships at night and through storms to safe passage and safe harbor. A lamp lights one’s path, guides others, and the greater the darkness the brighter the light. It is our job then to share what we know with other and to shine a light. Knowledge that is not shared is like a lamp that is kept hidden- it benefits no one. So this year our goal for people of all backgrounds and walks of life, Asian American or not, is to inform; to guide; and to welcome them home.
Vane Vo
Finance Director
Year: Senior
Major: Management
Fun Fact: Everyday I’m jungling!
What does “Illuminate” mean to you?: To me, Illuminate means to brighten up which is how I like to live. I spend my time to bring joy to those around me and have some fun while I’m at it. Illuminate can also mean to enlighten which is something the AASU has done for me and something I want others to attain.
Scott Huang
Programming Director
Year: Senior
Major: Economics
Fun Fact: I really like green tea flavored desserts and I love Tim Burton films.
What does “Illuminate” mean to you?: To me, illuminate is about making another person’s path brighter and easier to traverse. We hope to inspire people learn more about their individual identities as well as make people of all backgrounds feel that they deserve to have a chance to be under the spotlight.
Sabrina Chan-Pong
Programming Director
Year: Senior
Major: Marketing
Fun Fact: I crave tacos when I’m stressed.
What does “Illuminate” mean to you?: Illuminate means providing our audience with a new and fresh perspective on Asian American issues and on our community as a whole. It is to inspire our APIA community to not hold back and show the UF campus what we are capable of. We are shining light on the issues we face as well as the accomplishments we have achieved.
Lucy Geer
Advertising Director
Year: Junior
Major: Pre-Pharmacy
Fun Fact: I have a large collection of US and international postal stamps that I can spend hours looking at and rearranging.
What does “Illuminate” mean to you?: To me, the theme “Illuminate” means to shed light on Asian American issues such as speaking out more for campus resources and also to show more people what it truly means to be Asian American.
Jonathan Tanawan
Advertising Director
Year: Junior
Major: Food Science & Human Nutrition
Fun Fact: I love tzatziki sauce.
What does “Illuminate” mean to you?: To me, illuminate means to bring something to a headway, revealing something that was once shrouded in the unknown. I feel like that’s what happens a lot these days with Asian Americans and our roots. People don’t know who we are, what we face, and what we’ve done. I hope through this month, the greater community will be cognizant of what it means to be Asian American and that they will do away with some of their stereotypes and assumptions of what they think we might be.
Julienne Somera
Multimedia Director
Year: Sophomore
Major: Telecommunications
Fun Fact: I get emotionally involved in all TV shows and movies that I watch.
What does “Illuminate” mean to you?: To me, “illuminate” is another way of saying “to educate” or “to bring into light.” We are all diverse and come from different backgrounds. In this day and age, it is important to shed some light and learn about each and everyone’s background and individuality.
Rebecca Le
Archiving Director
Year: Senior
Major: Health Science
Fun Fact: I’ve seen half of Seven Wonders of the Ancient World!
What does “Illuminate” mean to you?: When I heard of “Illuminate”, I thought back to Enlightenment, a Western European and American cultural movement led by intellectuals during 18th century. These intellectuals all had different educational backgrounds but were primarily focused on spreading knowledge. They wanted to empower others to utilize knowledge to bring change in their communities. Likewise, I feel like our goals for AKM 2012 are to bring light on Asian American issues and to inspire others to make change within the community. Just like the Enlightenment figures wanted to provoke change through intellect, we at AKM want to inspire change by raising awareness about Asian American issues during AKM 2012.
Michi Velez
Archiving Director
Year: Senior
Major: Sociology
Fun Fact: My sister got me a unicycle for my birthday, which I am currently trying to learn how to ride.
What does “Illuminate” mean to you?: To me, the theme “illuminate” means, to shed light on those who are in the dark about the lives and culture of the Asian American community. There is a large number of UF students that identify as Asian American, so we want to educate and illuminate the minds of UF, so that we are not only recognized, but understood.